02/12/2011 Midlands Today

Welcome to Midlands today with Nick Owen. The headlines tonight.

Call done a camera, the benefit fraudster who claimed she was

disabled but was fit enough to run competitively -- caught on camera.

Ho ho ho online Christmas shoppers have created 1,500 new jobs for

their region. 60% in November and December, so

important to get it right. The cold snap and the increasing

cost of living are pressurising numbers into homeless shelters.

And plenty of backing for the Glassboys, dreaming of more FA Cup

Good evening and welcome to the start of the weekend here on

Midlands Today. Our top story tonight: a benefits

fraud that investigators say is one of the most blatant they've ever

seen. The woman they were investigating

claimed she was too disabled to tie her own shoelaces. In fact, she was

fit enough to run regularly and even competed in road races.

The Government says the current crackdown on benefit cheats has

saved �100 million since October last year. During that time

there've been 10,000 prosecutions. That compares with 8,200 in the

previous 12 months. Liz Copper reports now on how video

evidence made one woman part of those statistics.

This undercover footage shows Gillian Hulme, in the black top,

running in a road race through Stoke on Trent. She trained three

times a week with a running club. She'd even taken part in a half-

marathon. All whilst claiming benefit on the basis she could

barely walk. The 55-year-old appeared at Stoke on Trent Crown

Court after admitting illegally claiming more than �45,000 in

benefits over ten years. She stated she was only able to

walk 20 yards over a three-minute period and that was certainly not

the case. Hulme had taken up running after having back problems

- but continued to claim benefits even though her condition improved

so dramatically. Pete Millington has represented disabled people who

have had their claims disputed and feels fraudsters cause problems for

honest claimants. I think it does have an unfortunate impact in

demonising disabled people generally, that are genuine

claimants of benefits. So we don't want there to be anxiety amongst

and -- disabled people who genuinely need benefits. After this

footage was played in court, Hulme was given an eight month suspended

prison sentence and was ordered to carry out 200 hours' unpaid work.

Sentencing Gillian Hulme, the judge said the benefits system is

undermined and its reputation damaged by people who begin to the

fund of money without being entitled to it. He said she had

known perfectly well what she was doing was utterly wrong that power

reputation had been publicly ruined. -- and her reputation.

And the Welfare Reform Minister Lord Freud tonight welcomed the

prosecution and said benefit thieves cost the taxpayer almost

one billion pounds each year - money intended to go to those most

in need. Ahead of us tonight: up for sale,

not up for grabs. How these car thieves asked for a test drive and

never came back. With just three weeks to go until

Christmas, online retailers are preparing for their busiest weekend

of the year. It's estimated internet shoppers in

this region will spend about �1 billion between now and the 25th.

And hundreds of temporary jobs have been created servicing that demand.

Our Business Correspondent Peter Plisner joins us now from one of

the busiest online depots in South Warwickshire.

Pete Happe. Yes, tonight they are at the

warehouse -- we are at a warehouse, or internet shopping is very big

business these days, it is estimated that a few years ago,

there were 3.5 million shoppers, now there are 37 million. They

process 15,000 orders per day here over Christmas, up from 1,000 per

day and Christmas shopping is going hi-tech. 24% they use their

smartphones to order goods, but whichever method you use, it

promises to be an extremely busy weekend.

Why go to the shops when you can buy almost everything online? That

is what Martin Weale does. We do a big supermarket shop every two

weeks, so this is Christmas, so we are doing a lot of Christmas

shopping. It gives me the opportunity to get things that are

a bit unusual. I won't tell you what I bought my wife, but it is

something I wouldn't be able to buy easily locally. But not everyone

has done their Christmas shopping yet, hence the reason places like

this are so busy, with orders coming in thick and fast. The race

is now on to get everything packaged up and delivered. A It is

really busy, there are people running around all the time that

everyone is a bit stressed. started in October, and which was

quite nice, because it was quite steady, but now it has gone mad.

big presence do you wrap a day? varies. -- How many presents.

are so many. Such a lot to do. other popular products? These S

weathers are selling a lot, you fill them with helium and then you

remote-controlled of -- S weathers. This Spycatcher is doing well. But

this is basically an adult baby grow. And in this business,

selecting the right product is crucial. I would say looking out

for a new products at gift fairs, looking to see what the major

retailers are pushing it, keeping an eye on the sales trends and

talking to the suppliers that there who have been doing it for years.

Other online retailers are also busy, part of the reason that

companies like Amazon have set up shop here. Its new warehouse in

Rougerie is already processing thousands of orders, by -- and that

the same time creating hundreds of jobs. Experts maintain that despite

the recession, the growth of online shopping is helping many firms buck

the trend, something that looks set to continue. We are around a cross-

Channel, multi-channel retailing, you can buy through a website and

our high-street store, for a mobile device and a telephone ordering. It

is those different channels and options for retailers and customers

that is a really big area of growth. Some products are quite literally

flying off the shelves this year and with Santa's online helpers

working overtime, it looks like being a happy Christmas for all

concerned. And some other popular products

flying off the shelves... These remote controlled candles. If you

are feeling tired over Christmas, have about a blow up as ever frame?

And if you remember the Styler phone, they are making a comeback

as well. A Adam, tell me how much trade you actually do over

Christmas. Which is 60% of our turnover in November and December.

-- we do. A why is this so busy for are like chopping? It is the first

weekend after pay-day, Christmas is looming. -- why is it so busy for

online shopping. What about growth online, it seems to keep growing?

We have seen between 40-80% year on year, but it is getting more

competitive, so just about making sure your prices are right. Last

year, snow affected online traders. Are presumably, you will be the

Addie people hoping not to get a white Christmas. -- Oh the people.

We don't mind it on Christmas Day, because everything is done by them,

but not before. A my favourite thing will be this knife throwing

set, it is plastic, but hours of endless fun.

Peter, thank you very much. An 11-year-old boy who was killed

in a road accident in Warwickshire has been named as Tiarnan Welland.

He died yesterday morning as he tried to catch the school bus.The

car involved stopped at the scene. The accident happened on the A423

between Southam and Farnborough. Police are appealing for witnesses

to contact them. Four men from Stoke on Trent have

denied being part of a group plotting terror attacks on major

London targets. The four, aged between 20 and 27, were arrested in

dawn raids a year ago. Today at Woolwich crown crown court, they

pleaded not guilty to the charges against them, which related to an

alleged plot to target the Stock Exchange, the Houses of Parliament

and the American Embassy. Selling cars through online

advertising or auto trading magazines has become common

practice. But it nearly cost a disabled woman from Coventry her

life. Dawn Markham was seriously injured

when two men drove over her while test driving her BMW X5 and then

made a getaway. Detectives believe she was the victim of an organised

gang who're shipping stolen high- powered vehicles out of the country.

Here's Bob Hockenhull. Captured on a street security

camera - the moment two men arrived at Dawn Markham's house purporting

to be interested in her car. The luxury BMW X5 had been advertised

for sale for �43,000 and one of the man calling himself Raj Singh from

Luton said he wanted to buy it. -- one of the men. There was

absolutely nothing suspicious about them. They produced insurance

documents, they had actually made eye-contact with May. But when she

accompanied the men on a test drive, things quickly turned nasty a mile

from Dawn's house in Coundon in Coventry. He actually grabbed my

arm, basically swore at me and told me to get out the car, otherwise he

would kill me. I actually grab that the door handle of the car and he

sped off, and of course, as it tried to be several yards down the

road. Dawn was knocked unconscious and suffered severe bruising. The

thieves abandoned the car outside this pub less than two miles away,

police believing they had got scared because of what they had

done. It is hoped security camera images will help identify the

thieves. We are seeing more and more that it is organised crime

gangs committed these crimes and taking their number of cars --

committing. They are moving them abroad or disposing of them in this

country somehow. Trade in standards officers say prospective sellers

need to be on their guard -- Trading Standards. Don't let the

keys out of your possession and be a bit wary of how they are behaving.

If they are showing little interest in the car and are more interested

in getting to the test drive, you might be wary of that. But Dawn

says her ideal means she will never advertised at car for sale again --

ordeal. Still to come, how a surgeon's

skill and the dedication of his owners saved Sebastian after he

fell 50 feet. This time last year we were

battling with the snow to get out and about, and although it will be

cold over the weekend, the snow stays north of us and it is looking

like a lovely, crisp wintry weekend. With forecasters predicting

temperatures sinking to below zero again over the weekend, there's a

warning about support for homeless people struggling to keep warm.

One charity says it's had to move to bigger premises and open a

fortnight early to cope with demand. Giles Latcham is in Birmingham.

Giles, pretty chilly for anyone outside tonight?

The bone-chilling commander decided going to get colder for the

hundreds of people taking part -- it is bone-chilling, and it is only

going to get hold up for the hundreds of people taking part in

the annual fundraiser. More of that in a moment, but first, Ben Godfrey

in Worcester, where they are worried about an influx of people

seeking shelter. Six o'clock this morning,

temperatures in Worcester have hit minus two. There's warmth and

comfort at the YMCA in St John's. They call this place the Night

Assessment centre. Those seeking shelter can get food, sleep and

support. Nick Jackson came here after separating from his

girlfriend. He says he was born in Worcester but can't afford to live

here. First of all, it was the only place that basically would accept

me. Pilot light to go to college, study a few things and then

hopefully get my own place and settle down -- I would like to.

This centre relies on donations - like sleeping bags - and it's had

to open two weeks early. It's run by St Paul's hostel but moved to

the YMCA for more space to meet demand, as winter begins to bite.

would say last year particularly, because temperatures were a lot

lower at this time of year, there would have been quite a high

likelihood of people dying out on the streets, if the night assessed

and said they hadn't been open. One of they reasons we have opened

early is to try and pre-empt what might be a caring with the weather

-- one of the reasons. Around 20 people had used the night

assessment centre here. Growing numbers coming year on year. It

coincides with figures from the homeless charity crisis, who say

there has been a 15% increase in the number of people contacting

local authority for help. Staff say they're told of many reasons why

people come to this centre and one that stands out. In a riverside

city - a city where many aspire to live - the cost of rent is pricing

more people out and onto the streets.

The cost of rented accommodation seemingly exacerbating the problem

it was there. Let's talk about the scale of the problem in Birmingham.

You deal with young people but what do you understand the situation to

be questioned Arc unfortunately, this is all pretend, so the people

here are not really homeless. understanding is that number is

increasing in Birmingham as well -- my understanding. Particularly

those suffering from the economic situation, problems with their

mortgage situation and also people whose landlords and may have an

issue with their mortgage situation, so it is increasing. Casting it

forward, we have record youth unemployment, how do you see this

forward playing out. -- this problem? I think there is a real

worry for young people. We are in a situation, family, relationship,

frictions that a conflict tend to lead to a youth homelessness a bad

when families are under pressure, that often spills out on to

teenagers and adolescence -- and when families. Also welfare reform,

very worried about that. Pressure on funding, which makes all of this

all the more valuable, and when you are going to a nice warm bed

tonight, spare a thought for those on the streets of Birmingham.

For three months he's been on and off the surgeon's operating table,

but tonight Sebastian the tabby cat is coming home after �6,000 worth

of operations. He'd fallen from the fourth storey

of a building, suffering extensive injuries, which required braces and

metal pins to put him back together. Joanne Writtle has the story.

Two-year-old Sebastion is checked over by the vet who helped save his

life. He suffered lung and chest injuries after a dramatic fall.

Metal supports have helped mend broken bones in three legs.

front left leg, he there are metal bars going through the bones of his

legs, the top and bottom of his radius and metal bars on the

outside connecting those. This X- ray shows a break in the femur soon

after the accident. Here, pins hold together a fracture in a front leg.

His back legs are also held together with metal. He is jumping

a little bit higher now, since the metal is in there. I don't think he

worries as much about the landings any more. Vets put his survival

chances at less than 10%. His owners paid �6,000 for orthopaedic

surgery, chest draining and other procedures. Pet insurance of �11 a

month covered two-thirds of the bill. His owners say it was worth

it to take him back home to their other cat. I just can't believe it.

But when we first got him home, it was a hard week, he was fed through

a tube, the other cat didn't recognise him, it was emotional

trauma. Sebastian fell from here. A fourth floor window at his owners'

flat in Edgbaston in Birmingham. He's spent today at the vets in

Halesowen. Sebastian is about to be sedated for more X-rays to see

whether some of his metal inserts can finally be removed, there it is

likely that some of the metal supports will have to stay for good.

The cat is little face. He is a beauty, isn't he? -- look

So back home tonight. And Sebastian's latest op earlier today

was apparently a great sucesss. Good luck, Sebastian. Let's talk

sport. There's yet more upheaval behind

the scenes at Coventry City. Dan's here now. What's happened now?

This time it's the chairman Ken Dulieu who's stood down. Back in

March, Dulieu and the board held a press conference stating bold

intentions. Three of the five who were present that day are no longer

in place. But the chairman said the day his appointment was only ever

saw -- short term. It has been an interesting journey, but my job was

only ever to put the building blocks in place and but the

strategy in place, stop there had lecturing of cash and convince the

owners to keep funding. -- the haemorrhaging of cash. It doesn't

get better the commentary. -- the Coventry. What next?

He is going to become head of operations, help the manager signed

contracts and get the players into the club. They are looking for

investment from the local community, but they need to do it quickly,

because Coventry have struggled for quite a while financially, and if

they don't have sorted out soon, they will be in League One and even

more trouble. But better times at Stoke City.

Absolutely. They're through to the knockout stage of the Europa League

after drawing 1-all with Dynamo Kiev last night. It didn't look

likely during the first half in which Stoke struggled and fell

behind to a Matthew Upson own goal. But Stoke rallied after the break

and got their reward nine minutes from time when Kenwynne Jones

converted Jermaine Pennant's cross. Afterwards the Stoke manager Tony

Pulis said he was proud of his players. This is what the fans

thought. Their manager was playing spoiling tactics, they kept on

falling down, all the way through it. What can you do? You can only

do your best, can't she? How far as you think they can go? All the way.

All the way. At it is going to get to play their next round. But Albu

way to the final. That will be a journey into the unknown. Likewise

for Stourbridge Football Club tomorrow. It's their first

appearance in the FA Cup second round. And tomorrow, more than

3,000 fans will pack inside the War Memorial Ground, hoping to see the

Glassboys pull off a famous victory over Stevenage from League One. Ian

Winter reports. It was hard work today at the Glass

Centre, like it was every day. But they I used to it in Stourbridge.

Players like Ian have been doing this for more than 400 years, which

is why they are called the Glassboys. One of them, Sam the

Rock, has just clocked up 300 games. Now you know why they are called

the Glassboys. It has been on my doorstep the whole time, and there

I know why. It is like Hart, the way they go around making it. --

art. It is some heritage for the town. Did you ever envisage you

would be cutting a piece of crystal glass to celebrate Stourbridge in

the FA Cup second round? No, but things happen, especially in the

second round of the FA Cup. Bring gone mad United. This afternoon,

they had no time to put their feet up before the cup tie. They were

too busy coaching the youngsters at a or primary school in

Wolverhampton. They all work for a charity called believed to achieve.

The FA Cup, nobody comes to these grounds and fancied themselves, and

we are in good form at the moment that we are all confident, really

lucky -- looking forward to it. Stourbridge expat come on,

Stourbridge! You can't let them down after a reaction like that.

Back row no, it is a great atmosphere, the kids want us to win

it -- no. Hand on heart, can Stourbridge really beat Stevenage?

I really think we can. With the community behind us and thus

pushing to the standard we can play, I definitely think we can.

Stevenage beware. Some rock doesn't score many, but when he does, they

tend to be rather special. -- Sam. Tomorrow, 3,000 fans will be

looking to break that -- C the Glassboys make history. Stourbridge

glass is unique. Commemorating the first ever appearance in the FA Cup

second round. Just over 100 tickets still unsold.

The kick-off is 2pm, a regular update on BBC WM. And you can

follow your tea by John local radio. Let's hope Stourbridge can make it

through. -- follow your team on your local radio. Always back the

underdog. Come on, Stourbridge.

You said it. Dedication, enthusiasm, fairness.

70-year-old swimming coach Derek Northcote has them all in abundance.

He's devoted the past 30 years to helping people with disabilities at

the Tamworth Unicorns Swimming Club. That dedication has won him a place

among the finalists in this year's BBC Midlands Sports Unsung Hero

Award. Lindsay Doyle's been to meet him.

For 30 years, Derek Northcote has been head coach at the Tamworth

Unicorns Swimming Club for Disabled Persons. Despite suffering a heart

attack and spinal injuries, he spends three days a week at the

club. You just get over that a bad give something back. It is

something I learned in my younger days, and why not help, help people

who love -- who are less fortunate than I am. Derek has helped change

the club from a casual swim to the competitive swimming club. He was

instrumental in the club would in the Queen's Award for voluntary

services in 2002 -- wedding. Dedication, enthusiasm, honesty,

fairness, just some of the words used to describe the coach. He is

brilliant, he is amazing. He helps others out and he is a great team

manager. Derek has helped hundreds of disabled people of all ages to

learn how to swim, indeed some of the original members are still

members today. Derek is kinder to me. I have been so been for about

30 years at than proud of Derek -- I have been swimming. Definitely

Clare's Unsung Hero. Derek's reaction to being nominated?

Embarrassed. They came out of the blue Subara complete shock. I

wasn't aware it was going to happen -- it came out of the blue, a

complete shock. He's a brilliant guy, a brilliant coach Andy has the

club at heart, and I thought he deserved some recognition for the

work he has done for this club. another thing that makes him stand

out, his conviction that even though funding is hard to come by

these days, the Tamworth Unicorns must continue to provide swimming

and friendship for some of the most vulnerable people in society.

And you can catch up with all four of the finalists we've featured so

far on our Midlands Today Facebook site.

That will be really interesting. Time for the weather now, Sarah, I

was outside this afternoon and it was perishing.

It was a very cold day, with enquire at -- winter might have

enquire at -- winter might have come. Overnight tonight, we will

see things turn quite wet as the weather front was whipping across

the region, bringing outbreaks of rain and quite a lot of cloud as

well. It would be quite as cold tonight, but the cloud thickening

and bringing outbreaks of patchy rain at first. It will clear by

tomorrow morning, turning drier, but temperatures go no lower than

five or 6C. Quite breezy night as well. But for the weekend, it is

looking cold, but it is also staying quite bright. A breezy as

well, especially tomorrow. Tomorrow morning start off quite a cloudy

with some rain around, but it will clear, giving way to dry and bright

weather, with plenty of sunshine around. Temperatures a touch higher,

nine or 10C, but in the wind, it was still feel quite cold, westerly

indirection. Looking ahead to the evening, it will stay dry but it

will be quite a cloudy. And it will be a cold night and on Sunday, the

weather for the skirting the far south of the UK, so where it is

still clear, dry and bright, plenty of sunshine around. A few showers

across the north of the region through the day, temperatures

around seven or eight. Ahead of us, dry and bright over the weekend but

quite call, turning especially cold quite call, turning especially cold

overnight, so that is how it is looking -- quite cold.

We have been warned. Pentti very much indeed. -- thank

you. A look at tonight's main headlines:

The German Chancellor has called for a new treaty of Europe to

control tax and spending across the Eurozone.

And a suspended jail sentence for the benefits cheat who was filmed

running even though she claimed she was disabled.

That's all from us this evening, but on Monday's Midlands Today

we'll be looking back at the last 30 years, as Birmingham band Duran

Duran celebrate the big three-oh with a homecoming gig. That'll be a

New Moon on Monday, then? I see what you did it there. It is

a bit of a rock'n'roll weekend, one way or the other, because you and I